The long serving rector of the Islamic University In Uganda (IUIU), Dr. Ahmed Kawesa Ssengendo, has ended his 33 years of service at the second oldest university in the country.
Ssengendo was recently appointed Assistant Secretary General at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah Saudi Arabia.
While bidding farewell at the main campus in Mbale, Ssengendo pledged to use his new office to promote the the university.
Dr. Ssengendo is among the pioneer lecturers at IUIU. He left Makerere University to start IUIU from scratch in 1987.
He joined the university as a lecturer before rising through the ranks to become the rector, the university’s top job, a position he held for 16 years.
Earlier this year, Ssengendo was appointed the Assistant Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Bidding farewell to the longest serving boss, his peers and old students described him as a man of unique character and strong leadership skills
Ssengendo challenged his successor, Dr. Ismail Simbwa Gyagenda to uphold the values that the university stands for such as integrity and solving community problems.
He leaves behind a master plan upon to guide the further development of IUIU .
Other achievements include; expanding the university’s academic menu, academic excellence and maintaining discipline among staff and students.
The university has not experienced any strike during his 16 years of leadership.
Dr Gyagenda pledged to preserve and further his predecessor’s legacy.
IUIU is Uganda’s second oldest university and the first to be established outside Kampala.
It is the only private university established by an Act of Parliament.
